2008 Editors' Choice: 3rd Hand Saw Guard

3rd Hand Saw GuardWe keep an eye out for tools and accessories that we think can improve jobsite safety. This year, we honor California contractor Jack Tracy's creation called the 3rd Hand, a blade-guard control lever designed to fit a number of wormdrive saws. We think it can lead to safer operation of circ saws. When installed on a wormdrive saw, the operator uses the thumb on his trigger-finger hand to lift the guard out of the way for rips, cross-cuts, and steep angle cuts where guards typically get hung up. This frees the other hand to guide and control the saw through the cut instead of reaching to lift the guard. Tracy developed the 3rd Hand under the watchful eye of an OSHA inspector, and has packed a lot of benefit into a $40 feature. 3rd Hand: $40. 805-445-1066.